[EspressoParticipant]

How good was Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s defense?

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Both were good, Bird was better.

Magic didn’t have to be a great defender, Lakers had Michael Cooper for that and Kareem and others could defend the paint when smaller guards got past Magic.  Johnson led the NBA in steals, so he was using his length to advantage.  Obviously no point guard, and few shooting guards, could score on him inside.

Bird was All-Defense second team a few times, and set a Celtics record for steals in a season.  Also among steals league leaders for first decade of his career.  Quick hands and anticipation made him a great defender, even if other players thought they could beat him with footspeed.  Bird was also one of the best defensive rebounders in the NBA.

Magic couldn’t guard Bird in the post, Bird couldn’t stop Magic in the open floor.  Celtics got Dennis Johnson to be the Magic defender, while Lakers would throw Cooper, Worthy, Green and Rambis at Bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Both were good, Bird was better.

Magic didn’t have to be a great defender, Lakers had Michael Cooper for that and Kareem and others could defend the paint when smaller guards got past Magic.  Johnson led the NBA in steals, so he was using his length to advantage.  Obviously no point guard, and few shooting guards, could score on him inside.

Bird was All-Defense second team a few times, and set a Celtics record for steals in a season.  Also among steals league leaders for first decade of his career.  Quick hands and anticipation made him a great defender, even if other players thought they could beat him with footspeed.  Bird was also one of the best defensive rebounders in the NBA.

Magic couldn’t guard Bird in the post, Bird couldn’t stop Magic in the open floor.  Celtics got Dennis Johnson to be the Magic defender, while Lakers would throw Cooper, Worthy, Green and Rambis at Bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Magic was a decent defender in his time but I think he would have an extremely difficult time defending in this era. The game in the 80s was not nearly as pg dominated as it is now. The pgs were not nearly as shifty with the ball, and the pick and roll and 3 point shot were not nearly as big a part of the game. Magic’s lack of lateral footspeed and individual defense would be much harder to hide in today’s game. You would obviously have to cross match him to guard either the small or power forward on most nights. Of course, you would also have to match up with him on the other end though.

Bird was a good defender in his time and I still think he’d be pretty good in today’s game. He would probably struggle a little more individually with the increased quickness and athleticism of the players. However, he was such a smart and saavy player with great instincts so he would find a way to adjust.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Magic was a decent defender in his time but I think he would have an extremely difficult time defending in this era. The game in the 80s was not nearly as pg dominated as it is now. The pgs were not nearly as shifty with the ball, and the pick and roll and 3 point shot were not nearly as big a part of the game. Magic’s lack of lateral footspeed and individual defense would be much harder to hide in today’s game. You would obviously have to cross match him to guard either the small or power forward on most nights. Of course, you would also have to match up with him on the other end though.

Bird was a good defender in his time and I still think he’d be pretty good in today’s game. He would probably struggle a little more individually with the increased quickness and athleticism of the players. However, he was such a smart and saavy player with great instincts so he would find a way to adjust.

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 It’s important to understand how these teams were structured during Magic & Bird’s prime (1980 – 1988)……..

Bird made 2nd team All NBA Defensive team 3X…… & just the nature of the Celtics was Dogged Defensively……. Boston finished Top 5 in Team Defense Every year…….. & in addition to Bird being an outstanding Defender……. the Celtics featured Dennis Johnson & Kevin McHale – 2 of the Greatest Defensive players in History……. Both made ALL NBA 1st or 2nd Defensive Team 5+ times………

The Lakers were built to score & run that showtime Offense……. During the same time period the Lakers routinely finished in the top 15 in Team Defense…….. & like the Celtics featured TWO ALL Time great defenders in Kareem & Michael Cooper who also made 1st or 2nd team All NBA Defense 5+ times…..

But the Lakers were Always top 3 in NBA team Offense…… Celtics had aGreat Offense too finishing between 5th & 9th just about every year…….. Lakers would put Michael Cooper on your best player, guard the perimeter hard & funnel players into Kareem who would either block or alter the shot….. grab the rebound & chuck it to Magic & the fast break was on……..

The Sixers – the 3rd best team during this time also had great defenders like Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, Dr. J was a great defender & shot blocker……. For Example, the 1980/81 Sixers finished 4th in Offense & 1st in Defense……..& like Boston would finish Top 10 in Both categories every year……

That’s why these match ups were So compelling……. Boston & Phila played in the Conference Finals 5x out of 7 years between 1979/80 & 1985/86……. & then the winner would usually play the Lakers in the Finals…….. And these Series were Brutal b/c ALL the Star players played like Animals at Both ends……..

(Apologies for the Wordy Post)…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 It’s important to understand how these teams were structured during Magic & Bird’s prime (1980 – 1988)……..

Bird made 2nd team All NBA Defensive team 3X…… & just the nature of the Celtics was Dogged Defensively……. Boston finished Top 5 in Team Defense Every year…….. & in addition to Bird being an outstanding Defender……. the Celtics featured Dennis Johnson & Kevin McHale – 2 of the Greatest Defensive players in History……. Both made ALL NBA 1st or 2nd Defensive Team 5+ times………

The Lakers were built to score & run that showtime Offense……. During the same time period the Lakers routinely finished in the top 15 in Team Defense…….. & like the Celtics featured TWO ALL Time great defenders in Kareem & Michael Cooper who also made 1st or 2nd team All NBA Defense 5+ times…..

But the Lakers were Always top 3 in NBA team Offense…… Celtics had aGreat Offense too finishing between 5th & 9th just about every year…….. Lakers would put Michael Cooper on your best player, guard the perimeter hard & funnel players into Kareem who would either block or alter the shot….. grab the rebound & chuck it to Magic & the fast break was on……..

The Sixers – the 3rd best team during this time also had great defenders like Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, Dr. J was a great defender & shot blocker……. For Example, the 1980/81 Sixers finished 4th in Offense & 1st in Defense……..& like Boston would finish Top 10 in Both categories every year……

That’s why these match ups were So compelling……. Boston & Phila played in the Conference Finals 5x out of 7 years between 1979/80 & 1985/86……. & then the winner would usually play the Lakers in the Finals…….. And these Series were Brutal b/c ALL the Star players played like Animals at Both ends……..

(Apologies for the Wordy Post)…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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